Chapter Fourteen #4
Darcy smiled somewhat stiffly. “As I explained earlier, I held prior knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s weaknesses.
I have attempted to use those failings against the man, and I have negotiated on your family’s behalf what I believe to be a manageable solution.
” He paused and searched for the words to explain what he had done in Elizabeth’s name.
“After three days of negotiations, I have promised Mr. Wickham the following: your future nephew will resign his position in the militia and accept a comparable one in the regulars; my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has assisted me in locating a lieutenancy in Newcastle; Mr. Wickham’s debts in Brighton and Meryton will be paid; and as a dowry, Mr. Wickham will receive three thousand pounds.
” He waited for the business savvy Mr. Gardiner to digest the terms.
“Likely close to five thousand pounds in total,” Gardiner calculated, and Darcy nodded his agreement. “It will be a strain on the Bennets’ finances, but my brother Phillips and I will share the expenses of my sister’s family.”
Darcy cleared his throat in trepidation.
“Actually, I would take on the wedding’s expenses and Mr. Wickham’s placement.
” He looked curiously at Elizabeth’s beloved uncle.
Gardiner’s shock was evident, but Darcy had more to reveal.
“It is my wish that neither Miss Elizabeth nor her father know of my involvement. It would not do to make my deeds known to those most innocent in this matter. I desire no false gratitude.”
“You would have me wear borrowed feathers?” Mr. Gardiner said in disbelief. “I cannot allow you to assume such a debt, Mr. Darcy!”
“I will hear of no compromise,” Darcy insisted.
“It is my conviction that if George Wickham’s worthlessness had been better known, it would have been impossible for him to persuade any young woman of character to make an alliance without proper bonds.
I knew of his low morals, but my foolish pride would not permit me to make known the extent of his depravity.
I once thought myself above his actions.
However, I have come to realize if I had acted with honor, none of this would have been possible.
I cared only for private affairs, and I did not consider the ramifications of Mr. Wickham’s evil on others.
” Darcy would never speak of his sister’s shame, but he gave Mr. Gardiner to know that Mr. Wickham had betrayed Darcy’s family.
Darcy remained obstinate regarding his involvement and would not relent, no matter how often Gardiner attempted to change his mind.
“Well, Mr. Darcy,” Gardiner offered, “it seems you have Mr. Wickham’s life planned.”
Darcy laughed conspiratorially. “Mr. Wickham said something similar.”
Gardiner sighed and rumpled his hair again. “Will you join me for dinner, sir?”
Darcy said apologetically, “I cannot. I have other obligations this evening.”
“When Mrs. Gardiner returns, I wish to discuss your proposal with her. Will you join us tomorrow evening as our guest?”
“It would be a pleasure to spend time with you and Mrs. Gardiner again.”
The men parted, each with a degree of satisfaction. Gardiner would see an end to the troubles Lydia Bennet had brought down upon her family. Darcy would preserve Elizabeth’s respectability and maintain his hopes she would one day be his wife.
“I will not change my mind, Mr. Gardiner.” Darcy renewed his constancy in acting as the sole benefactor in the Wickham matter, for Gardiner had had second thoughts about taking credit for Darcy’s triumph.
“I cannot see my way clear to give voice to your scheme,” Gardiner insisted.
“Mr. Gardiner, I will not relent. You must permit me to be of service to your family.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s hand rested on her husband’s arm.
“Perhaps, it is best, my dear,” she said encouragingly.
“Mr. Darcy appears earnest in his request, and if you feel a need to make things right, I am of the persuasion that Mr. Darcy will consider his investment in Lydia’s future as a loan.
You may repay our Derbyshire friend for his kindness. ”
Darcy had no intention of considering his outlay as a loan, but he would not argue with the lady. It was quite obvious Mrs. Gardiner recognized Darcy’s preference for their niece. A preference he hoped one day to make public.
“I must tell you, Mr. Darcy, we will be forever in your debt,” Mr. Gardiner began. “We accept your offer reluctantly in hopes that by doing so we maintain the respectability of Lydia’s more deserving sisters. They should have fulfilling lives despite their youngest sister’s folly.”
Over supper that evening, Darcy had the pleasure of listening to the Gardiners tell stories of Jane and Elizabeth as children and as young ladies growing up in the Bennet household.
The tales of Elizabeth’s precociousness most interested him, but he also took delight in learning more of Miss Jane Bennet.
He had misjudged her nature, and he knew making amends to Bingley must come soon.
“Those two girls!” Mrs. Gardiner laughed so hard at the story she told that tears came to her eyes.
“They would look at you and maintain their innocence, which was usually true for Jane, but not so much for Lizzy. Even when one was angry over what they had done, a person could not be upset with either of them. Their goodness would make me love them even when my favorite vase lay in a hundred pieces on the drawing room floor.”
The Gardiners’ children joined them for part of the evening, and the rambunctious brood showed an interest in Mr. Darcy because he was a “favorite,” according to their parents, of both “Cousin Jane” and “Cousin Elizabeth.” Having children in the house made Darcy fancy Elizabeth even more than usual.
It was a perfect way to end a most pleasurable evening.
On Monday, Darcy finalized the plans for the church, the transfer of funds to Lydia Bennet, and the purchasing of the commission.
Calling on the Gardiners again before he left London, he found Mr. Gardiner had sent a dispatch to Longbourn with news of the impending marriage.
Finally, he thought, Elizabeth will be free of all these provocations: She will laugh again.
He dearly missed that laugh. Lydia Bennet was to arrive at Gracechurch Street that very day, and Darcy would return to Pemberley on Wednesday.
He would travel again to London for the actual wedding.
Mr. Wickham had no one to stand up with him.
Moreover, Darcy’s penchant for meticulous planning required he be available to assure nothing went awry.
All were happy to welcome his return to Pemberley, with his sister most eager for his company privately, but they waited. Darcy served as the “excellent” host. “Mr. Darcy, you were grievously missed on our journey to Nottingham,” Caroline called to him.
He answered her politely, “I am sorry to cause you grief, Miss Bingley.”
“Have your urgent estate problems been resolved?” Bingley implored.
“Generally so,” Darcy lied. “But I will return to London for a day or two at the end of the month. Then everything will be finalized.” He emphasized the last words to provide Georgiana some peace while she waited to learn the whole story.
“I would have wished to be of service to you, Darcy,” Bingley offered. “You do so much for my family.”
“Your caring for Georgiana was of service to me, Bingley. I would never have left her in your care if I did not value your friendship. She means more to me than does Pemberley.” Georgiana blushed with his words, and her eyes misted with emotion.
“In fact,” he continued, “I hoped to keep you at Pemberley when your sisters depart for Scarborough. More than wishing you to care for Georgiana in my absence, I would wish to spend some time with you in gentlemanly pursuits.”
“I would enjoy that, Darcy.” Bingley smiled from ear to ear.
Later that evening, Georgiana tapped lightly on his study door. “I wondered when you would make your way here,” he teased.
“I wished to guarantee that our guests had retired for the night.” Georgiana seated herself across from his desk. “Please tell me what occurred in London. Did you discover Mr. Wickham?”
“Are you assured you wish to hear all the unsavory details?”
“More than knowing Miss Elizabeth will be well, your story can only confirm how fortunate I am to know you as my brother. Although it would probably upset me ever to encounter Mr. Wickham again, I do want to know his fate and your advantage.”
Darcy summarized the events of the last ten days, accenting the squalor in which he found both Mrs. Younge and George Wickham, but he assured Georgiana, “Mr. Wickham will marry Lydia Bennet. Along with the Gardiners, I will attend the service at St. Clements Church.”
“Then you may pursue Miss Elizabeth again,” Georgiana encouraged.
“Have you considered the ramifications of that action, Georgiana?” he started. “If I earn Elizabeth’s love, it would mean Mr. Wickham would be my brother—our brother.”
“William, we have many relations we rarely see. Mr. and Mrs. Wickham will be in Newcastle. I am confident Miss Elizabeth would understand if Mr. Wickham would never be welcomed at Pemberley. You could not have executed all these things and then forsaken the prize. You must find a means to win Miss Elizabeth. You deserve her, and although she does not know it yet, she needs you.”
“Georgiana, the man who earns your heart will be winning a true romantic.” He chuckled while she blushed. They finished the evening with his relating some of the more amusing Elizabeth Bennet stories shared by the Gardiners. They laughed and talked into the late hours.
As promised, he returned to London to witness the exchange of vows and to finalize the settlements.
The wedding had taken place on a Monday at ten of the clock.
A month had passed since Mr. Wickham and Lydia Bennet had departed Brighton, and finally to be rid of the chaos gladdened Darcy.
In Lydia Bennet, Darcy saw the same effusive, immature girl he had known in Hertfordshire.
The results associated with her actions meant nothing to her.
Instead, she babbled on about whether Mr. Wickham should wear his blue coat for the ceremony.
Mrs. Gardiner attempted to caution the girl, but silence could not be attained.
Darcy thanked his stars for giving him a sensible sister rather than having someone like Mrs. Wickham in his family.
Darcy spent time with the Gardiners on Tuesday, but they spoke more of Lydia’s insolence rather than of Elizabeth and Jane.
He would have preferred to hear about the latter.
One of the Gardiner children, Cassandra, presented him a crayon drawing of himself, Jane, and Elizabeth walking in a garden and holding hands.
Although the likenesses were not accurate, the sentiment touched his heart in a way he had never known.
He carried the drawing to Pemberley and placed it in a special spot in his study.